PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) - On Monday, with the Pennsylvania primary just days away, Hillary Clinton continued to hammer Barack Obama over his comments that small town Americans "cling to guns or religion" because they are "bitter."

But the audience at a forum put on by the Alliance for American Manufacturing didn't appreciate her line of attack.

"I understand my opponent came this morning and spent a lot of his time attacking me," she said at the beginning of her remarks here.

Many in the crowd responded with audible groans, and a few shouted, "No!"

Obama spoke to the same forum earlier in the morning and ribbed Clinton for doing a shot of whiskey in front of TV cameras on Saturday in Indiana.

Clinton continued, "I know that many of you, like me, were disappointed by the recent remarks he made."

This time, a louder, sustained chorus of "No!" emanated from the audience. Clinton soldiered on.

"I am well aware that at a fundraiser in San Francisco he said some things that many people in Pennsylvania and beyond Pennsylvania have found offensive," she said.

This time, a smaller smattering of jeers.

It was only when Clinton concluded her opening remarks by attacking President Bush that she received a warm round of applause.

The Clinton campaign later said the disgruntled reaction to her remarks came from Obama supporters in attendance.

Several audience members told CNN after the speech they came to the forum to hear each candidate talk about trade issues, and were not interested in the political back-and-forth of the Democratic primary race.

When Clinton focused on policy and expounded on enforcing trade agreements, creating new jobs and standing up to China, she received some hearty ovations.

But despite Pittsburgh's working class reputation, it was at times a tough crowd for the New York senator.

As the question and answer session began, one man asked Clinton for assurances that American workers would not be "tricked" like they had been when her husband signed NAFTA in 1993.

A press release distributed to reporters by the Alliance for American Manufacturing calculated that Pennsylvania lost 44,173 jobs due to NAFTA between 1993 and 2004.

Clinton, who spent much of her speech attacking America's trade imbalance with China, responded by drawing a line in the sand between her policy positions and her husband's trade record.

soundoff(330 Responses)

She has become quite a republican in this race! I think McCain is pretty happy that he has Hillary to do the dirty work for him while he tries to make an independent appeal.

You know how you can know she is lying? Her lips are moving.

Pennsylvanians! PLEASE don't waste your votes and help McCain beat us in November.

April 14, 2008 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |

Daniel from Kansas

HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE FOR A PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY TO EARN THE $800,000.00 (EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) THAT HILLARY CLINTON RECEIVED FROM THE COLUMBIAN GOVERNMENT?

April 14, 2008 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |

Obama 2008

Hillary deserves a long vacation in Colombia, near an emerald mine. She is tired and stressed out and now unable to even keep her audience interested in her boring monologue.

Go home – Is it NY? PA? or AK? Whatever, just go. Leave us alone.

April 14, 2008 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |

Think - FL

"The Clinton campaign later said the disgruntled reaction came to Clinton's remarks came from Obama supporters in attendance."

More like people that aren't going to play along with your twisting of his honest words that were never intended to be demeaning or hurtful and didn't come from a bad place until they filtered through your head. Witch.

April 14, 2008 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |

Ex-Hillary supporter

People do turn to God when times are tough and I speak as an atheist!

April 14, 2008 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |

Myke A.

Hahahaha. Shame on Hillary. You remind me of how the dog bit the owner. LOL

April 14, 2008 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |

YOU NEED TO KNOW

What this whole country should be BITTER about is the fact that we had a contract between 40 and 100 billion dollars to build UNITED STATES AIR FORCE aircraft and that contract was sent overseas (France). NOW IF THAT"S NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU BITTER, THEN WHAT IS?

OR MAYBE THAT BILLY BOY HAS BEEN PAID BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT (dont" know how much) BUT THIS IS THE SAME GOVERNMENT THAT HILLARY HAS BEEN CARRYING ON ABOUT REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS.

HILLARY'S AGAINST CAFTA, BUT ALL OF HER HIGH RANKING PEOPLE (YES BILL ALSO) ARE IN SUPPORT OF CAFTA. WHAT'S GOING ON HERE???? YES WE ARE PISSED OFF AND BITTER.

April 14, 2008 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |

Isaac

His attacks were way worse, but here we are again with his supporters attacking her. How can he jeer her for drinking a beer when he just did the exact same thing and has been talking about it ever since?

Come on.

April 14, 2008 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |

Skipper

Rumor has it that Obamabots have now started showing up at Hillary's speaking engagements just to heckle her.

Yeah, that's real mature there Barry.

I'm still trying to figure out what's wrong with "throwing back a shot and beer?" Is there anything "American" you won't attack?

April 14, 2008 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |

Paul

Wow! I bet Clinton had no idea this would backfire in her face. I love it.

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

brad, obamaha, NE

wow.

just wow.

obama08

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

Bitter in oregon

Barack the truth Obama

that's who I am voting for ……

If the next states can't close this up.
then we will here in Oregon.

where are the signs
I am Bitter and I want change
Barack Obama 08

I'll take one, heck I'll tale two

who else wants a sign????

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

NancyL-64

The truth is powerful, and Obama spoke the truth. Too bad Hillary just doesn't get it. So who is out of touch and elitist?

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

rw md

This is the kind of crap she has to put up with.
He can attack her and say anything he want's but
if she attack's him, they have to defend there little
punk kid.
I've allway's said that Pennsylvania has one good thing,
the Liberty Bell, and that's got a crack in it.

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

dee

Thank you sooo much labor crowd

You have made me PROUD to be an Intellegent American Today.

thank you and God bless you.

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

P Walters

What a pseudo-campaign put on by Barack Obama supporters! If they yell loud enough, they think it will sway voters... It doesn't work that way! To Obama supporters, you are shooting yourselves in the foot! We're finally seeing the real Obama – and it isn't pretty or humble – it's arrogant and snide... Let's see some more!

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

Ron R

There on to you Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 14, 2008 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

Let Freedom Ring

Say "No!" to the Shady First Lady!!!

Hillary Clinton continues to lob spitballs at Barack Obama and try to convince the public and the media that they're cannonballs. If that's truly all the ammunition that she has to use against him, he'll win the general election for SURE.

Obama '08!

April 14, 2008 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

Anna

Penn people are really smart.

April 14, 2008 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

Nancy in Ohio

One of the few times Hillary is right. She nails it. I have a grudging respect and admiration for the woman. Think I'd like her on a personal level, but she's too liberal.

April 14, 2008 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

Jessica, MI

"no news" – are you serious? did you not see how Hillary INSTANTLY came out in public and laced into Obama, calling him "elitist", etc..?

To call Hillary an opportunist is an understatement...

April 14, 2008 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

Carol/Lansing Michigan

She should be jeered at about taking his comments out of context. People do turn to religion and unfortunately some to crime with things get very, very bad.

We are bitter, bitter to see our plants close and go south to Mexico taking the jobs with them.

We can't turn to our government, they don't listen. Why do you think peoples approval levels of the Senate, House and President are some of the lowest in history.

If Hillary doesn't realize that, then I guess being born into a wealthy family and living wealthy ALL her life has left her out of touch with the other 95%.

April 14, 2008 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

Let Freedom Ring

Say "No!" to the Shady First Lady!!!

Hillary Clinton continues to lob spitballs at Barack Obama and try to convince the public and the media that they're cannonballs. If that's truly all the ammunition that she has to use against him, he'll win the general election for SURE.

Obama '08!

April 14, 2008 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

Let Freedom Ring

Say "No!" to the Shady First Lady!!!

Hillary Clinton continues to lob spitballs at Barack Obama and try to convince the public and the media that they're cannonballs. If that's truly all the ammunition that she has to use against him, he'll win the general election for SURE.

Obama '08!

April 14, 2008 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

David Smith

I find it interesting that even though the media is jumping on Senator Obama again, and once again not reporting on the myriad of misdirections and obfuscations made by Senator Clinton and her campaign, that the people of the Keystone State are not buying her version of events – and identifying with Senator Obama. This will be an interesting week.